LIGHTNOVELSTORY chapter 17
17 – 17th Episode: Soul-Fulfilling Wall of Thunder
1.
– “The Bow-Archer Martial Arts Swordsmanship suits you more.”
I fully agree with those words.
As proof, when I performed the Jin Jiwang Sword Formation now, I could feel the depletion of stamina and energy.
Most of the experts of the Nam Gung Clan experience the Jin Jiwang Sword Formation at least once, and most of them settle on it.
However, after meeting the absolute expert Jang Myung-soon, I learned a little something.
No matter what sword formation it is, it needs to be altered; otherwise, it stagnates.
Digging one well infinitely or digging the same well in a different direction.
Isn’t that the essence of living in this world?
The point is, ultimately, I had to taste the Jin Jiwang Sword Formation in a real fight at least once.
Considering purely the power of the sword formation, Jin Jiwang Sword Formation is stronger than the Bow-Archer Martial Arts Swordsmanship.
There is one thing I must do.
Instead of using the Bow-Archer Martial Arts Swordsmanship as a stepping stone for the Jin Jiwang Sword Formation, I will use the Jin Jiwang Sword Formation as a stepping stone for the Bow-Archer Martial Arts Swordsmanship.
The shape of the fight has changed. I stood in this spot, waiting for him to approach.
“Haaa!!!”
-Clang! A fist covered with hardened energy flew toward him.
-Kaga-gak!
-“Emperor’s Radiant Sword!”
-If he had received the attack normally, the durability of his sword would have been greatly reduced. Thus, he also strengthened his guard and evaded the attack.
-Kwaaang! Clang, clang!
-An intense sound like being hammered resounded.
-Look at that. Nam Gung-yeon is being pushed back.
-The man is also strong.
-Fool. Once you reach that kind of level, gender differences don’t matter.
-“Ugh…!”
-Contrary to the evaluation of the audience, Baek Cheol-hoon wasn’t happy about it.
-Kwa-kwak-kwang!!
-He hasn’t moved a step since the change in sword form.
-Although he was trying to evade, he just ended up staying in place.
-Even if he mixed some deception into his attacks,
-“Krrkuhh…!”
-He blocked them somehow.
-Most of all…
-“…Haat..!”
-Dong!!!!
-He was pushed back by the force.
-As the audience mentioned, the strength difference due to the gender doesn’t matter in the world without people.
-That’s why it hurts even more.
-He was pushed back by the force generated from that technique.
-However, Nam Gung-yeon is not in an entirely comfortable situation.
-The consumption seems to be faster because this sword form doesn’t suit him.
-When it was Changgungmu with wielded weapons, he was in an advantageous position.
-He quickly unravels the Jinje-wang Sword form!
-It was Baek Cheol-hoon who first changed attack methods.
-“Dragon King Seal!”
-A phenomenon where golden scales appeared on his arm occurred.
I know that it’s an illusion, but I can’t help but be overwhelmed.
Because the dragon is nothing less than the essence of god.
But.
The king of the skies does not move.
-Kuwung.
“Like a mountain… No, even more…!”
He knows everything in his domain.
How things move. What they’re thinking.
“It’s like… he’s reading my mind.”
And the moment the king moved.
“＜Emperor’s Celestial Thunder＞”
Yeongha raised the sword. The basic stance of pure swordsmanship, with no martial arts, a cut from top to bottom.
For Yeongha, it contained the figure of lightning descending from the sky.
“Come.”
“……As much as you want..!”
Baek Cheol-hoon also gathered all his will to win in this move, pulling his wits together in a desperate situation.
“＜Baekbo’s Divine Fist＞”
It is to shoot the fist that can easily break even the rocks outside the Baekbo, from close range of Namgung Yeongha, using the palm technique.
They clash using a martial arts technique, and the floor of the stone-made Yeonmu Hall is crushed to pieces.
!!!!!
“Cough..! Cough..!”
Baek Cheol-hoon knelt on the floor of the Yeonmu Hall, spitting out blood.
“Waaah!!!!!”
The winner was… Namgung Yeongha.
2.
“Yeongha-nim! It’s over here!”
Yeongha ran to Eunho, waving his hand with a smile.
Because during the break, he wanted to see Eunho more than resting in a place to calm his mind professionally.
“How was it? Ah..”
은호 couldn’t see.
“I heard it through my grandmother.”
“Is that so… Thank you.”
“Is Cheolhoon badly injured?”
“It seems so. However…”
ㅡOur Eunho, please take care. Cough..!
“He’ll probably recover soon. We have prepared a lot of recovery medicine.”
“That’s not bad.”
“Mother-in-law…”
“Who is your mother-in-law? Get lost.”
“Thanks to you showing me the true Jin Jewang sword style that even my mother didn’t show.”
Nam Gung-yeon had not yet made the Jin Jewang sword style his own.
In terms of skill, he was even lower than Baek Cheolhoon. Baek Cheolhoon was at the mid-late stage of 4th rank, while Nam Gung-yeon was still in the early stage.
However, thanks to being pushed ruthlessly by Jang Myeongsun with extreme efficiency, he was able to make up for that difference.
In terms of technique, Nam Gung-yeon was superior, so he won in terms of technique even though he was lower in rank.
“The next match… is against Yahwa.”
“Tsk.”
“hahahaha… The opponent is… Jeongal Seoyeon?”
“I don’t like the opponent.”
Jeongal Seoyeon, an outsider who excelled in force and group battles rather than martial arts skills. He was born between them.
His formidable power, which reached the early-mid stage of 5th rank, was similar to the realm of the Dragon-Subduing Sword.
Jang Myeongsun also explained it in an easily understandable way to Eunho.
“As the rank increases, the ‘difference’ that people talk about grows exponentially. The early stage of 4th rank and the mid stage of 4th rank may change depending on the condition and compatibility of that day. But the early stage and mid stage of 5th rank are at a level where they may win or lose even if they start with injuries. Moreover…”
“The difference between 5th and 4th rank is…”
“That’s like the difference between heaven and earth.”
Jeongal Seoyeon, a Jeongal member who grew their influence not through pure force but through military power. A genetic anomaly born there.
The preparation time ended, and Fang Yawarang and Jeongal Seoyeon stood facing each other.
At this point, Jeongal Seoyeon alone couldn’t exponentially increase Jeongal’s power, but if he were to win in a place like the Martial Arts Holy Land Society, it would be a different story.
If he received overwhelming support from the Martial Arts Alliance and grew up, Jeongal Seoyeon alone could change the ranking of the martial arts world.
“Pang Yawarang!!! Win!!!! What are you guys doing!! Don’t cheer!!”
“Pungya the flower!!!!”
In the distance, it could be seen that the head of the Pungga family, Pungoryong, was cheering for his daughter to the point that spit was flying out of his mouth.
“Stop cheering so loud!! Father.”
Jang Myung-soon, who stood over 3 meters tall, raised his hand and Pungoryong crouched down like a hedgehog.
Geumjon Gwoyeonghwang opposed.
“Myung-soon, you would also cheer loudly if Eunho were to participate in the martial arts competition. Give him some support.”
“Hmph.”
Members of the Hapuk Pungga, carrying the encouragement of Geumjon on their shoulders, resumed their loud cheers.
Elders, the head of the family, and other relatives were seen waving flags and cheering.
But even Pungoryong knew. That the fight would be difficult for Pungya the Flower, as Chigalseuga and Singyeongjeon had been locked in battle before the start of the Martial Arts Sacred Ground Society.
The difference between the two was absolute.
Nevertheless, Pungya the Flower…
“Where is Eunho…”
“Jegal Se-ga’s Jegalseo-yeon requests martial arts from Hapuk Pungga’s Pungya the Flower.”
“I can’t see him…hm.”
“……….”
Pungya the Flower ignored Jegal Seoyeon.
“I found him. Hm. As expected, he’s beautiful.”
He waved his hand, but there was no way Eunho could see him.
It seemed as if the old man next to him was tapping to signal.
“Pungya the Flower!! Work hard~!”
“Huhuh. It feels good. Hm.”
“What does it matter?”
“Between spouses. Hm.”
Finally, Pungya the Flower responded to Jegal Seoyeon. As if intrigued, Jegal Seoyeon asked a question.
“But why is Namgung Sae-ga’s Namgung Yeon-ha sticking around by your side?”
“……. You’re annoying. Hm.”
Abruptly, while watching Paeng Yahwa, who suddenly surged with energy, Jeol Galseo-yeon asked with amusement, “Aren’t you scared? In this fight, you might even die. That’s allowed here, and if that happens, your self-proclaimed role as a wife will be destroyed.”
“What do you want to say… huh?”
“I’m talking about the difference in power between you and me. I’ve heard that clashes between elders and noble families are frequent.”
“Paeng Yahwa!!! No need to worry!! Just show your skills diligently!”
– Clang… Paeng Yahwa’s expression turned as stiff as if wearing a mask.
“Why does everyone think I’ll lose? …Hm.”
“Oh…”
“…I will win. That’s all… hm.”
“The probability of you winning is less than 10%.”
“I don’t believe in mathematician’s formulas… hm.”
Jegal Se-ga’s servant approached and took Jeol Galseo-yeon’s glasses.
Then handed him a longsword.
– Bang! The firework announcing the start exploded, and the match began.
“……….”
“……….”
They only stared at each other.
“Why… aren’t they moving?”
Nam Gung-yeon-ha said from a distance. There is no sign of conversation or mutual encouragement like with Baek Cheol-hun.
Just watching quietly.
Jegal Serok, who had watched together, spoke.
“It may be finding the flow, or simply… Jeol’s side has the luxury of a strong one, while Paeng’s side has the indignation of a weak one.”
Looking at the sky, Jeol Galseo-yeon said, “The weather is nice.”
It was a perfect opening, but Paeng Yahwa doesn’t make a move.
Swoosh… A huge sword is drawn. Paeng Yahwa swiftly wields the sword with one hand.
In an instant.
– Crash!! Paeng Yahwa forcefully pounds the ground and rushes forward.
ㅡCrash!! A thunderous sound reverberated as if struck by an enormous gong.
“………..”
Paeng Yehwa abruptly halted. Yet Jegal Seoyeon did not attack.
“Why are you hesitating?”
“……..”
Afterwards, a fierce assault ensued. It was an attack that evoked the sharp claws of a beast.
Jegal Seoyeon glanced downwards. Indeed, marks resembling those created by the talons of a wild animal scarred the ground.
“……”
“You’re quiet. Are you not breathing?”
No breath could be felt. Nevertheless, energy circulated smoothly.
Curiosity arose.
ㅡBang!!
Jegal Seoyeon aimed a clean side kick at the abdomen. It was the first attack. But it seemed as if this was what Paeng Yehwa had been waiting for…
“Whoosh..!!”
With incredible speed, Paeng Yehwa rotated her body while swirling her leg to deflect Jegal Seoyeon’s attack and counterattacked like a whirlwind.
ㅡSwish..!
A small cut appeared on Jegal Seoyeon’s cheek, yet he seemed amused.
“How entertaining. You still don’t use swordsmanship… No, should I say, doctrines.”
“You’re also hiding something… hm?”
“What’s so regrettable about hiding the fact that you started from the doctrines that assassins used at most?”
“…..!”
Ominous veins bulged on Paeng Yehwa’s forehead. Though expressionless, her icy rage reached the spectators.
Paeng Yehwa momentarily distanced herself and changed her approach.
“《Honwon Byulgyeokdo》”